I don't see any thing wrong using But

but --> even though --> in contrary --> although are synonyms..(these are conjunctions used to introduce sub-ordinate clauses ) function quite similarly.

A is concise than D.

Between A and C is the toughest battle. So, I will explain my rational for that part.
PS: I am finding it extremely difficult to explain in words why such constructions are correct, but I will attempt anyways

e.g.
She nearly passed all her exams. (She passed none.)
She passed nearly all her exams. (She passed most of them.)
So, takeaway here is what does nearly modify?
In first case nearly modifies passed.
In second case nearly modifies all her exams.

So, using the same logic: (Lets say not as efficient is BAD, as efficient is GOOD)
In C: The author says: She is nearly BAD
In A: The author says: She is NOT nearly GOOD

Official Solution:

The new mayor is certainly more progressive than her predecessor, but she is not nearly as efficient.

A. but she is not nearly as efficient
B. but she, however, is not nearly as efficient
C. but she is nearly not as efficient
D. even though she is not nearly as efficient
E. despite being not as efficient


This sentence is correct and concise. She clearly refers to the new mayor, and the statement of her efficiency contains no unnecessary words.

1. The relationship between the subjects of clauses in this sentence is clear; the second clause is concise.
2. However is unnecessary.
3. Nearly is misplaced, making the clause awkward.
4. The phrase even though implies an incorrect logical relationship between the new mayor’s progressive stance and her efficiency.
5. Despite implies an incorrect logical relationship between the mayor’s progressive stance and her efficiency.

Answer: A
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Dear Friends,

Here is a detailed explanation to this question-



Choice A: This answer choice is concise and conveys the intended meaning of the sentence. Thus, this answer choice is correct.

Choice B: This answer choice introduces redundancy into the sentence by utilizing the word "however"; the conjunction "but" is sufficient for displaying the contrast needed in this sentence. Thus, this answer choice is not a very good one.

Choice C: This answer choice shifts the placement of the word "nearly", leading to the highly awkward construction "she is nearly not as efficient". This construction also alters the meaning of the sentence, slightly, to imply that the new mayor is almost not as efficient as here predecessor rather than the intended meaning that she is far less efficient than her predecessor. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice D: This answer choice utilizes the phrase "even though", which changes the meaning of the sentence by implying a logical connection between the new mayor's progressiveness and her predecessor's efficiency. Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Choice E: This answer choice repeats the meaning-related error found in Option D through the use of the word "despite". Thus, this answer choice is incorrect.

Hence, A is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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"not nearly" is a phrase which means "nowhere near"

So "not nearly as efficient" means that her efficiency is nowhere close to the efficiency of her predecessor.

'nearly not as efficient' is incorrect use of nearly. You can say 'she is not as efficient...'
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